Alicia Alonso Takes the Stage
Chapter Book Series
on Goodreads (211)
What’s inside...
Alicia Alonso Takes the Stage is a historical novel that tells the inspiring story of Alicia Alonso, a world-renowned prima ballerina from Cuba who overcame visual impairments to achieve global recognition. Born to dance, Alicia moves from Cuba to the United States to pursue her dreams. Despite losing her sight, she does not give up and finds a way to continue dancing, captivating audiences worldwide. This chapter book, part of the Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls series, not only recounts Alicia's perseverance and impact on the arts but also includes additional information on her legacy and movement-based activities to foster creativity and confidence in young readers.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
8-12
Length
128 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Alicia Alonso
Discussion points
How did Alicia Alonso's determination help her overcome her challenges, and what can we learn from her?
Why do you think passion is important, as shown in Alicia's dedication to ballet?
How does Alicia Alonso inspire others in the story, and who inspires you in your life?
What obstacles did Alicia face and how did she handle setbacks? How would you handle similar situations?
How do Alicia's achievements change the way people view ballet and the arts?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts on overcoming personal challenges by relating to Alicia's perseverance.
Discuss the importance of following one’s passion, drawing parallels between Alicia’s journey and your child’s interests.
Highlight role models in your child’s life and compare them to Alicia's inspirational impact on others.
Brainstorm with your child about how they would tackle difficult situations similar to those faced by Alicia.
Praise your child’s insights and relate their thoughts to real-life scenarios to deepen their understanding of the book’s themes.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Perseverance and resilience
Explanation: Alicia Alonso's journey showcases how she overcame numerous challenges, including her vision impairment, to become a renowned ballerina. Despite numerous obstacles, her determination kept her going.
Real-World Application: Children can learn the importance of not giving up in the face of difficulties, whether it's tackling a tough subject in school or learning a new skill.
Example Lesson: Passion for art
Explanation: The book highlights Alicia's deep love for ballet and her dedication to her craft from a young age, which played a pivotal role in her success.
Real-World Application: This story can encourage children to explore and engage deeply with their own interests, whether in arts, sports, or any other areas, understanding that passion can lead to achievement and personal fulfillment.
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding
Explanation: Alicia Alonso's story also touches on the themes of empathy through the support and understanding she received from others, which helped her overcome her challenges.
Real-World Application: Children can learn the value of supporting and being empathetic to friends and peers who may have disabilities or are going through challenging times.
Example Lesson: Strive for excellence
Explanation: Despite her impairments, Alicia practiced tirelessly and aimed for excellence in every performance, eventually gaining worldwide recognition.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the importance of striving for excellence in their endeavors and not settling for mediocrity, which can be applicable in their academics, personal projects, or hobbies.
Example Lesson: Innovation and adaptation
Explanation: To cope with her vision loss, Alicia developed unique techniques and cues to maintain her orientation while dancing.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to think creatively and adaptively to work around their limitations or challenges, finding unique solutions to achieve their goals.